Lionel Messi 7, Sergio Busquets 5: Barcelona player ratings v Levante

Barca edge 1-0 win to the relief of Ronald Koeman

BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 7 – He may well be having his busiest season in a Barcelona shirt and he produced a couple of smart saves to thwart Jorge de Frutos from point-blank range with a sweeping right arm, before clinging onto a last-gasp effort from Son. Reuters

Sergino Dest, 6 – After a quiet opening half-hour, the full-back did his best to inject some tempo in his side’s play as he looked to wriggle free of Nikola Vukcevic on the right, but he was tugged back and had to settle for the free-kick. Getty

Ronald Araujo, 6 – He made an important intervention to snuff out a threaded Dani Gomez pass intended for Roger with Levante charging forward on the counter, but otherwise it was a relatively quiet night for the defender. AFP

Clement Lenglet, 5 - The France man lacked conviction in both boxes. He allowed the Levante forwards too much freedom in his own penalty area at times and blasted an instinctive effort over the bar at the other end when it looked easier to score. AFP

Jordi Alba, 6 - As expected, the left-back looked to press at every opportunity and tested Aitor Fernandez with ambitious effort, but he was occasionally caught out of position and was nowhere to be seen as Gomez went close in the first-half. AFP

Sergio Busquets, 5 - The midfield stalwart made his 593th competitive outing for the Blaugrana to move level with Carles Puyol in the club’s list of all-time greats, at least in terms of appearances, but he was largely a spectator and was substituted after the break. EPA

Frenkie de Jong, 6 – Far from his best display, but it wasn’t for lack of trying as he did his best to connect with a searching ball into the box. He was booked for a cynical foul just after the break, but picked out Messi in space as the skipper fired the winner. AP

Lionel Messi, 7 - Barcelona’s sluggish performance was epitomised when he played the ball straight to a Levante player when hassled in possession, but he dragged Barca over the line with a sweet strike that finally beat the impressive Fernandez via the post. AFP

Antoine Griezmann, 7 - Should have done better when the ball dropped kindly for him in the Levante penalty area, but the forward could only fire straight into the hands of the leaping Fernandez, who thwarted him several times more with a series of brilliant saves. AFP

Philippe Coutinho, 6 – Started brightly and was one of his side’s livelier performers, providing plenty of crosses into the box from both flanks, though he fired an early chance over the bar after good work by Sergino Dest. Reuters

Martin Braithwaite, 6 - Drew a smart save from Fernandez when he curt inside and curled an placed effort that was destined for the top corner, and he later unleashed Jordi Alba with a delightful flick using his heel. AP

SUBS: Samuel Umtiti, N/A - The defender’s introduction in place of Antoine Griezmann indicated an unfamiliar mindset from the Blaugrana, who seemed content to try and defend their lead rather than extend it against a side sitting third from bottom in La Liga. AFP

Pedri, 6 - The teenager was introduced in an attack-minded switch just before the hour-mark. His best involvement saw him combine with Messi, but his pull-back into a crowded penalty could only pick out a black and white shirt. Reuters

Francisco Trincao, NR - Introduced for the final 20 minutes or so, the 20-year-old immediately lifted his side in an energetic display that helped the hosts to finally move up through the gears. Reuters

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said he was more interested in ensuring his side beat Levante after Sunday's unconvincing 1-0 victory in La Liga rather than focusing on the manner in which they won.

Lionel Messi gave Barca the lead late in the game and even though the Catalans had missed numerous chances before then, they were left begging for the full-time whistle as Levante pegged them back deep into the five minutes of added time.

Koeman brought on defender Samuel Umtiti for striker Antoine Griezmann late on to help his side see out the game and was forced to defend what was interpreted as a defensive move unbefitting of a Barcelona coach.

"I didn't care how we won the game," Koeman told a news conference.

"We knew we'd have to face corners and set pieces and that we had to defend by whichever way possible."

The Dutch coach appeared frustrated with being questioned by his tactics by reporters, who he accused of seeking controversy.

"That is the typical question people ask when they are looking to cause a stir," he fired back.

"Throughout my whole life I've always understood that when you're 1-0 up, even if you are in control, you have to be able to defend. If you can't understand that, you might as well give up."

Barca went into the game 12 points behind pacesetters Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid after last week's shock defeat at Cadiz and were also smarting from being beaten 3-0 by Juventus to surrender top spot in their Champions League group.

The victory saw them reduce the deficit to nine points ahead of Wednesday's match at home to Sociedad.

"It was very important to win because of our position in the table. I'm happy with the team because we did what we had to do," Koeman added.

"Once again we had a lot of chances but could only score one goal. It's also related to our confidence, because if you are a forward and you score you feel more confident in your next game. I hope on Wednesday we can prove that we can play better."